International Cybersecurity Collaboration between NKU and SANGU yields first graduates in Tbilisi, Georgia; a milestone event honored by both institutions.
Northern Kentucky University (NKU) and St. Andrews Georgian University (SANGU) have forged a significant partnership to offer an international cybersecurity program, aiming to bolster Georgia's national cyber defense [1]. This collaboration recently celebrated its first graduates in June 2025, marking a significant milestone [3].
The partnership reached new heights with the First Tbilisi International Cybersecurity Conference held on June 26, 2025, at SANGU. The event brought together leaders from academia, government, and the private sector to foster international dialogue and cooperation in cybersecurity [2]. Topics discussed included AI-driven cyber threats, digital security across sectors, and advancing women’s roles in cybersecurity.
Key aspects of the expansion plan for the NKU-SANGU international program encompass:
1. Enhanced collaboration between faculty from both universities, as evidenced in joint training sessions for academic staff delivered by NKU professors at SANGU [2][4]. 2. Showcasing graduate research and thesis defenses as part of the conference, evaluated by a joint faculty commission to maintain academic rigor and international standards. 3. Building professional networks through the conference and ongoing academic cooperation, creating a hub for knowledge exchange and joint cybersecurity initiatives in the region. 4. Focus on emerging cyber challenges like AI threats and resilience strategies, reflecting a commitment to contemporary, cutting-edge curriculum development and research.
These activities suggest that NKU and SANGU are scaling their partnership to not only educate but also to create a sustainable international cybersecurity ecosystem supporting students, faculty, industry, and government actors in both the U.S. and Georgia.
Tamar Burjanadze, a graduate of the program, entered with a background in international relations to change careers and is now a lecturer in cybersecurity at SANGU. Burjanadze emphasized the importance of the program given that women are under-represented in the field of cybersecurity globally [5].
Since the program's inception, 120 Georgian students have enrolled in the College of Informatics' Master of Cybersecurity program at NKU. The graduation ceremony took place in Tbilisi, Georgia, with 45 students receiving their master's degrees in cybersecurity from NKU [6].
In 2023, a dual, hybrid master's degree program in cybersecurity was launched by NKU and SANGU. The partnership was celebrated by Dr. Kevin Kirby, dean of NKU's College of Informatics, and Dr. Hassan R. HassabElnaby, dean of NKU's Haile College of Business, who participated in the event [7].
For more information about NKU's partnership with SANGU and international involvement, visit the Center for Global Engagement and International Affairs website [8]. Moreover, the partnership is immersive, inspiring, and deeply impactful, as stated by Dr. Kevin Kirby [9]. The program includes an extended trip to Cincinnati, Ohio, where students meet with local companies like Kroger, 84.51, US Bank, and St. Elizabeth Healthcare [10].
As the partnership between NKU and SANGU continues to grow, it is clear that both institutions are committed to fostering international collaboration in cybersecurity education and research, with the ultimate goal of strengthening national cyber defense capabilities.
[1] https://www.nku.edu/news/articles/2020/02/nku-announces-new-international-partnership-for-cybersecurity-program.html [2] https://www.nku.edu/news/articles/2025/06/first-tbilisi-international-cybersecurity-conference-convenes-at-sangu.html [3] https://www.nku.edu/news/articles/2025/06/nku-sangu-partnership-celebrates-first-graduates-in-cybersecurity.html [4] https://www.nku.edu/news/articles/2025/06/nku-faculty-train-sangu-staff-in-cybersecurity-education.html [5] https://www.nku.edu/news/articles/2025/06/sangu-graduate-highlights-importance-of-women-in-cybersecurity.html [6] https://www.nku.edu/news/articles/2025/06/nku-graduates-45-georgian-students-in-cybersecurity-program.html [7] https://www.nku.edu/news/articles/2023/09/nku-and-sangu-launch-dual-hybrid-master-s-degree-in-cybersecurity.html [8] https://www.nku.edu/ceia [9] https://www.nku.edu/news/articles/2025/06/dean-kirby-celebrates-nku-sangu-partnership-as-immersive-inspirational-and-deeply-impactful.html [10] https://www.nku.edu/news/articles/2025/06/nku-cybersecurity-program-offers-extended-trip-to-cincinnati-for-georgian-students.html
- The partnership between Northern Kentucky University (NKU) and St. Andrews Georgian University (SANGU) extends beyond education, reaching into the community of Cincinnati, Ohio, where students meet with local businesses like Kroger, 84.51, US Bank, and St. Elizabeth Healthcare.
- NKU and SANGU's international collaboration in cybersecurity education includes an online-education component, making learning accessible for students in both the U.S. and Georgia.
- In addition to enhancing educational opportunities, the partnership between NKU and SANGU aims to bolster healthcare sector security, given the increasing reliance on technology and digital platforms in healthcare delivery, a commonality between Cincinnati and Kentucky, and Georgia.
- The Economic Development Cabinet of Kentucky, recognizing the importance of cybersecurity in the current digital age and its significance for business growth, strongly supports the cybersecurity program provided by NKU and SANGU.
- The NKU-SANGU partnership encourages interdisciplinary learning, combining education-and-self-development in cybersecurity with exposure to various sectors such as business and healthcare, preparing students for versatile career paths.
- The ongoing collaboration between NKU and SANGU is not exclusive to cybersecurity; it also encompasses the exchange of knowledge and expertise in other domains like technology and education to foster mutual growth and strengthen national capabilities in these areas.
